A poor family was delighted to have eight fish from a local reservoir for their dinner, but the catch proved to be extremely poisonous puffer fish and the elderly woman and her son ended up in hospital fighting for their lives.
Thong Chaoprai, 84, and her son Banchong Chaoprai, 48, of tambon Nong Thum in Wapi Pathum district of Maha Sarakham, were rushed to a local hospital after finishing their meal on Monday evening, Khaosod Online reported on Tuesday.
A relative, Noosun Chaoprai, said Mrs Thong lived with her son at Ban Muang village. The family was very poor. Everyday, Mr Banchong went to catch fish from public swamps and waterways to feed his elderly mother and himself.
He had caught eight fish from Nong Yai reservoir. They were not aware the fish was a species of the poisonous puffer fish. They had each eaten two of the grilled fish. About 30 minutes later they began suffering numb tongues and breathing difficulties, and started vomiting.
Relatives immediately took them to Wapi Pathum Hospital, where their condition was diagnosed as critical and they were transferred to Maha Sarakham Hospital.
Kan Sribunlue, chief of Wapi Pathum district, on Tuesday issued a reminder that puffer fish are poisonous and should not be eaten. Several months ago, two local people died after eating puffer fish, he said.